⁣⁣Lesson Plan: Struggling with storage in a small living room? Discover 8 easy ways to maximize storage and make the most of your limited space!

⁣⁣Lesson Plan: Struggling with storage in a small living room? Discover 8 easy ways to maximize storage and make the most of your limited space!

Grade Level: 9-12

Subject: Interior Design/Home Organization

Objective: Students will explore various strategies to add storage to a small living room, understand the importance of efficient space utilization, and develop their interior design skills.

Materials Needed:
- Images or examples of small living room storage solutions
- Whiteboards or chart paper for brainstorming
- Art supplies (colored pencils, markers, etc.)
- Writing materials for reflection

Procedure:

1. Introduction (10 minutes):
- Begin the lesson by discussing the challenges of storage in a small living room and the importance of efficient space utilization.
- Show students images or examples of small living room storage solutions to inspire their creativity.

2. Brainstorming Session (15 minutes):
- Engage students in a brainstorming session to generate ideas for adding storage to a small living room.
- Encourage them to think about creative ways to utilize vertical space, incorporate multipurpose furniture, and maximize hidden storage options.

3. Discussion and Research (20 minutes):
- Facilitate a discussion about the benefits of efficient space utilization and the impact of clutter on the overall aesthetics of a living room.
- Provide students with resources (books, articles, or online sources) to research different storage solutions suitable for small living rooms.

4. Presentation of Ideas (30 minutes):
- Have students present their ideas for adding storage to a small living room, using visual aids or sketches to illustrate their concepts.
- Encourage them to explain the reasoning behind their choices and how they believe their ideas will optimize storage space.

5. Group Activity: Design and Plan (60 minutes):
- Divide students into small groups and assign each group a specific area of the living room to focus on (e.g., walls, corners, under furniture, etc.).
- Instruct each group to design and plan a storage solution for their assigned area, incorporating ideas discussed earlier.
- Encourage creativity and collaboration within the groups.

6. Reflection and Writing (15 minutes):
- Have students reflect on their experience designing their storage solutions.
- Instruct them to write a short paragraph or create a visual representation of their reflections, focusing on what they enjoyed most about the activity and any challenges they faced.

7. Presentation and Discussion (15 minutes):
- Allow each group to present their storage solution plans to the class.
- Facilitate a discussion on the different ideas and techniques presented, highlighting the importance of efficient space utilization and the impact of storage on the overall living room design.

Common Core Labels Correlations:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-12.2: Write informative/explanatory texts.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-12.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence.
- CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP6: Attend to precision.

Get your life together with the Nifty Organization Journal: bit.ly/2AYkXm2Here is what you'll need!Adding Storage Space In Your Small Living Room1. Hidden remote storage Keep your remotes from cluttering your living room by hiding them under your coffee table. Attach one side of a velcro strip to the back of your remotes and the other half to the underside of your coffee table. 2. Make a simple side tableUpcycle a crate as a cute but functional side table. Store things like extra pillow, blankets and books in the lower shelf, and use the top as a convenient table top surface. 3. DIY Rope basket MaterialsCardboard boxTwineHot glueLarge pillow caseInstructions1. Ensure the bottom of the cardboard box is secure. If necessary, add tape. Push the flaps of the box inside to create and open box.2. Starting at the bottom of the box, apply a small amount of hot glue and attach the end of the twine. Carefully add lines of hot glue to box and attach the twine, working upwards. Continue to loop twine around the box until it’s a few inches away from the top.3. Cuff a pillowcase halfway down or until you reached the desired size for the lining of your box.4. Line the box with the pillowcase, covering the exterior cardboard.4. Finally get board games organizedTidy up your board games and puzzles by stacking them in pot organizers. 5. File holder shelfTurn a wooden file holder into a shelf by drilling it sideways into a corner wall. Use your new makeshift shelves for magazines, remote controls, extra blankets, or knick knacks if you're tight on space and want some custom storage space.6. DIY sofa table Materials1 plank wood, equal to length of couch4 staircase spindles cut to height of couch8 “L” bracketsJigsawSanding paperWood stain1 extension outletInstructions1. Place the outlet on one of the ends of the plank and trace the perimeter.2. Use your jigsaw to cut out that square you traced.3. Use the L brackets to attach the 4 “legs” (spindles) to your table.4. Stain or paint the entire table.5. Once dry, put the outlet into the hole you made in the plank. It should be tight enough that the outlet does not fall through.7. DIY Wine Crate Coffee TableMaterials4 wine crates1 square peg board (27"x27" or the size of your table)4 6-inch table legsWood glueClampsStrong tapeSandpaperWood stain (optional)InstructionsArrange four wooden crates together on their sides, with the openings facing out (creating shelving).There should be a small empty space at the center. Glue the sizes together with wood glue, and secure with tape until dry. Cover the top with wood glue, and lay the peg board down, clamping it into place.Place a ring of wood glue on the tops of each table leg, and push them into the corners of the peg board. Let dry overnight.Sand down all corners and edges of your table. Wipe away dust with a damp cloth. If desired, you can add two coats of stain to give it a finished look, or to match other furniture.Enjoy you new coffee table!8. DIY Convertible Storage Cube Seat SUPPLIES4 18x18 planks, 1-inch thick2 16x18 planks, 1-inch thickWood glueINSTRUCTIONSAssembling The Cube1. Make the perimeter of your cube by using wood glue to attach two 18x18 planks and two 16x18 planks. Once the wood glue is dry, reinforce the glued areas with nails every 2 inches.2. Apply glue to the edges to the wood and place a 18x18 plank on top. Once the wood glue is dry, reinforce with nails.3. Sand down the entire cube.4. Wipe off any debris left from sanding.5. Prime, stain and seal the wood.6. Screw 4 wheels to the bottom of the cube.Creating The Cube Lid1. Repeat steps on a separate 18x18 plank.2. Create a seat cushion by using spray adhesive to attach a 16x16 piece of foam to a ¼-inch thick piece of wood.3. Upholster the cushion with durable fabric and a staple gun.4. Map out a 16x16 space in the center of the 18x18 piece of wood.5. Sand slightly, wipe away the excess shavings, and add glue the upholstered cushion to the 16x16 space on the lid. Allow 24 hours to fully dry